I never imagined that I'd end up in a position where I would need a Medical ID/Warning bracelet...
But, here I am.
Did you know that once lymph nodes have been removed from an armpit that arm can never be used for blood pressure, IVs, injections etc?
Why?
It could cause Lymphedema.
Yeah, I didn't know what that was either.
According to the Mayo Clinic: "Lymphedema refers to tissue swelling caused by an accumulation of protein-rich fluid that's usually drained through the body's lymphatic system. It most commonly affects the arms or legs, but can also occur in the chest wall, abdomen, neck and genitals.Lymph nodes are an important part of your lymphatic system. Lymphedema can be caused by cancer treatments that remove or damage your lymph nodes. Any type of problem that blocks the drainage of lymph fluid can cause lymphedema."
Anyone can develop lymphedema but the likelihood of it happening to a cancer patient who has had nodes removed is much greater.
I knew when I went in for treatments to make sure they don't take blood pressure on my right side and I can't have blood work done there either but it never dawned on me that I should get a bracelet until I was told about a post in my support group but my chemo buddy Christina.
What if something happened and I wasn't conscious to tell the professionals not to touch my right arm?!
I went to a Bove Jewelers in Kennett Square, PA, looked through the catalog, found a bracelet I'd be comfortable wearing and placed the order.
It arrived last week and looks great!
The front says Lymphedema. On the back it says, "No blood test, blood pressure, no IV or injections in this arm"
When I asked what I owed, the owner Bob Strehlau looked at me and said, "You've been through enough, it's our gift to you."
I cried and hugged him. What a beautiful and generous gift!
The past 11 months of our lives have been insane. I'm looking forward to the day they become a distant memory. That being said I have made some new friends, tightened bonds with others and have learned that there are few things that I value more than prayer.
I don't talk about my relationship with Jesus much because I struggle with putting my feelings into words.
There is an idescribable level of peace that comes with knowing that God has a greater purpose for our struggles than just making us struggle.
Few things grow in complacency.
The times in my life where I have grown the most were some of the most difficult ones. At the time it was horrible, looking back it was necessary.
Whether it was my own health or my husband's, there were many people who called to pray with me over the phone and we had prayer teams around the country praying for his recovery.
A few years ago, during a sermon, pastor Johnny said, "People always say the God doesn’t give us more than we can handle but that is wrong. God purposely gives us more than we can handle so that people turn to him."
I can’t say that I know the exact purpose for Glenn to get hit so hard with covid but, while Glenn was fighting for his life, friends who are declared agnostics and atheists started praying. People who’d walked away from churches for a variety of reasons were praying. Not just to a “higher power” but to our Lord.
People were united in one purpose, praying to one God. Our God. Beauty from ashes.
I am grateful to God for saving my hubby. I am grateful that this experience pricked the heart’s of those who had turned away and they are turning back.
And, I will forever be grateful to everyone for lifting us up in prayer.
There is a profound level of peace in knowing that even when we felt like we couldn’t go on we were being carried by others.
